Mid-air collision between F-GAOG and F-PTVC near Beaugeay

Overview and Flight Details On 17 October 2009, a mid-air collision occurred between a Robin DR400-120, registration F-GAOG, and an Océanair TC160, registration F-PTVC, at an altitude of 1,700 feet, approximately two nautical miles southwest of Rochefort aerodrome. Both aircraft crashed in the commune of Beaugeay (17). The F-GAOG, operated by the aéroclub du Pays Rochefortais, was on a solo training flight with a 21-year-old female student pilot. The F-PTVC, operated by the aéroclub Les Ailes Cognacaises, was on a navigation training flight with a 54-year-old student pilot, a 64-year-old instructor, and one passenger. ## Casualties and Damage All four occupants were killed: the sole occupant of the F-GAOG and the three occupants of the F-PTVC. Both aircraft were destroyed. ## Airspace and Communications The collision occurred within the La Rochelle TMA, a Class E airspace. The F-PTVC was in radio contact with the La Rochelle controller and had a transponder code assigned. The F-GAOG pilot was using self-announcements on the Rochefort aerodrome frequency and had not contacted the La Rochelle controller. The F-GAOG transponder was found in stand-by mode. ## Weather and Investigation Weather conditions at 09:00 UTC were clear with visibility over 10 km, wind 040° at 10–14 kt, and temperature 10°C. Autopsies revealed no medical or pathological factors explaining the accident. The BEA investigation was conducted under Annex 13 to the Chicago Convention and EU Regulation 996/2010, with the sole objective of accident prevention.